The 18 Most Annoying Male Habits, Explained

Every day, REDBOOK readers email columnist Aaron Traister to ask questions about the men in their lives: Why is it so hard for him to spit out the words I'm sorry? Is my husband the only man in the world who doesn't want to have sex? (He's not — Aaron gets this one all the time.) And what's up with that wiry hair protruding from his left nostril?!

Q: Why does my husband remember so many things about sports but nothing I told him yesterday?

Q: Why does my husband remember so many things about sports but nothing I told him yesterday?

Our relationship with sports predates our relationship with you by many, many years. I remember exactly where I was when the Phillies lost the 1993 World Series; I know who I was with and what I did when the Eagles converted fourth and 26 against the Green Bay Packers (I jumped on my friend's back and rode him around my living room). We've been fluent in sports forever, whereas we've only been speaking feelings and to-do lists for a few years. So sometimes we go blank, like a poor student in Spanish class who zones out because he can't follow. Example: My wife, Karel, says, "When Jane and Garth actually get married, they'll discover how it changes their relationship." And I think, I didn't even know Jane and Garth weren't married. Better say "Yup" so she thinks I'm still here.

Q: Should I be worried if my husband has an "office wife"?

Q: Should I be worried if my husband has an "office wife"?

I would be if I discovered that Karel had another spouse, office or otherwise. I think a guy's asking for trouble at home and at work if he has a relationship with a colleague that is intimate enough to involve the word wife. Men aren't always good at answering tough relationship questions, like: Is it okay for me to go out to lunch alone with my "office wife"? What about drinks after work, even with a group? Is it awkward if we have to travel together? Will coworkers get the wrong idea? Hell, I'm not sure even a woman could answer these, which is why I prefer to leave all forms of polygamy to Big Love.